More than 50 Ukrainian defenders were killed and 130 wounded in the July 2022 attack on Penal Colony No. 120 near Olenivka, while many of those who survived the explosion have yet to return home, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence said on Facebook on the Day of Remembrance for Ukrainian defenders who died in captivity.
"July 28 is marked in Ukraine as the Day of Remembrance for the defenders of Ukraine, members of volunteer formations, and civilians who were executed, tortured, or died in captivity," Defense Intelligence Chief Lt. Gen. Oleh Ivashchenko said.
According to Ivashchenko, the date holds special significance because, for the past four years, Olenivka has been associated with the tragedy that occurred in the summer of 2022.
"At the prison where the defenders of Mariupol were being held, Russian forces carried out the largest terrorist attack against Ukrainian prisoners of war. More than 50 Ukrainian defenders were killed and 130 were wounded. Many of those who survived the explosion have still not returned home. We continue to fight for them and for everyone being held hostage in Putin's prisons," Ivashchenko said.
Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War continues to work to secure the return of Ukrainians held in Russian captivity, as well as the repatriation of the bodies of those who died.
"As a sign of mourning and remembrance, let us light candles on this day. Eternal honor to our Heroes who gave their lives for an independent, united, and democratic Ukraine. They will forever remain in our hearts," Ivashchenko said.
